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A new generation of vultures
Breeding success at the vulture breeding centres includes two of the rarest
Following last years' success with the first ever captive breeding for Oriental White-backed Vultures, this year another world first: two Slender-billed Vultures have successfully hatched and fledged, one at the Pinjore centre in Haryana and a second at Rajabhat Khawa in West Bengal. In addition, three more of the Oriental White-backed vultures have fledged at Pinjore, and there were encouraging signs that the Long-billed vulture may also do so next year.
"This major progress is a clear sign that the methodology is in place. The Bombay Natural History Society (BNHS) team is building up important expertise for these species, that will expand the captive stock ready for the day we can start releasing birds into a diclofenac-free environment" Commented Chris Bowden, Royal Society for the Protection of Birds' (RSPB) Vulture Programme Manager who oversees support for the breeding programme.
BNHS's Head of Vulture Breeding Programme Dr Vibhu Prakash added "As many more of the young birds reach maturity over the next two years, we confidently anticipate that breeding will really take off".
Conservationists say that stopping the retail sale and use of the veterinary drug diclofenac, promoting the safe alternative drug meloxicam and capturing more birds for the programme's captive breeding centres are the only sure measures needed to save the birds from extinction. "The declines, especially for oriental white-backed vultures, whose population has crashed by more than 99.9%, continue at such an alarming rate, that we must use both approaches simultaneously" commented Dr Vibhu Prakash.
There is growing support for the programme, especially from the Indian Government's Ministry of Environment and Forests who have recently allocated funds for expanding the centres. The Haryana state government has carried out important flood prevention measures at Pinjore earlier this year, and the Assam Government has funded the main office and visiting facility at the newest of the three BNHS run centres, at Rani Forest in Assam. This is particularly welcome, as running costs are increasing presenting challenges in the current economic climate.
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